Idealease Safety Bulletin - 'Cold Weather is Here!'

In this issue:

• Fuel Additive Use during Cold Weather Conditions
• Preventing Driver injuries in Fall and Winter
• What if I need to rent a truck for a driver that is subject to the ELD regulations?

The latest Idealease Safety Bulletin "Cold Weather is Here' is full of current cold weather safety reminders and more! Check it out below, or click here to view, print, or share!  Be sure to sign up if you prefer to receive these informative safety bulletins automatically! 

Looking to access past bulletins to print, share or download? Visit the complete safety bulletin archive here.

Now on to the most latest edition... 

COLD WEATHER IS HERE! 

This week the Midwest is getting hit with it's first dose of snow and below-freezing temps, so it's a great time to review cold weather preparation with your drivers! 

We've touched on some of this already a few weeks ago, but it is all worth repeating now that the temperatures are on the move. 

TAKING CARE OF FUEL:

1. Add Diesel Supplement to ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel when temperatures drop below 32 degrees. 

2. If your truck is equipped with an engine block heater, it should be plugged in when the temperature is below 32 degrees. Trucks that are not utilized should be started and let run every day to bring the unit up to normal operating temperature. 

3. Initial Start-Up Procedure: 

1.  Complete pre-trip inspection of unit
2.  Unplug block heater
3.  Turn ignition switch on and wait for glow plug lights to go out
4.  Start the engine
5.  Leave engine running until operating temperature increases

4. Drivers should purge air tanks daily if trucks are equipped with air brakes.  If the unit is equipped with an air dryer, bringing the PSI to 120 will automatically purge the system.  

5.  If driving in winter weather (snow, ice, slush, rain, etc), lightly apply the brakes while the unit is moving to dry the brake shoes, drums, rotors and pads so the brakes do not freeze while parked. 

6. Make sure the windshield washer solvent is full and all windows are clean.

7.  Remove any ice-snow build-up from steps and grab handles to prevent a slip or fall. 

When parking the unit, make sure it is not left parked in an outside dock or near a building overhang if heavy snow is in the forecast.  Snow can drift off the building causing excessive accumulation on the top. 

FUEL ADDITIVES TO USE DURING COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS

Fuel additives will help prevent fuel jelling in colder weather and should be added any time that the ambient temperature is below 32 degrees F.  Here are 2 popular manufacturers of fuel additives. Be sure to contact our Parts Team to place an order. 

Power Service:

• Red Bottle - Power Service 911 to be used ONLY when the fuel in a unit has jelled. It is NOT to be used as a fuel additive that you would regularly add to the tank.
• White Bottle - Power Service Diesel Fuel Supplement + Cetane is to be added to the fuel at each fill when the ambient temperature is less than 30 degrees F. This is what you should use on a regular basis throughout winter months. 

Penray:

• Winter Thaw Emergency Diesel Fuel Supplement
  • Dissolves already gelled fuel fast and reduces clogging off fuel filters. 
  • Only to be used when fuel is already jelled! 
  • Prevents ice crystal build-up in fuel lines and filters by dispersing moisture and eliminates hard starting, pounding, excessive smoking and helps improve combustion. 
  •  100% compatible with low sulfur fuel and fuel blends. 
• Winter Pow-R Plus Diesel Fuel Supplement
  • ULSD Compliant
  • Prevents ice crystal formation and jelling of diesel fuel
  • Reduces cold filter plug point b as much as 30 degrees F
  • Helps enhance cetane and improve fuel economy
  • Utilizes HAFI® Technology
  • Improves cold-weather starting
  • Stabilizes and prevents corrosion
  • Helps reduce emissions and improves lubricity

PREVENTING DRIVER INJURIES IN FALL AND WINTER

During the winter months, slip/trip and fall injuries are the most commonly reported for drivers.  Remember, working in the ice and snow requires your full attention and awareness to prevent from being one of the thousands of professional drivers seriously injured each year. 

Remember:

• It's your goal to go home to your family and friends the way you came into work each day: safe and healthy!
• Always wear proper footwear. Use nonslip covers on shoes (Yak Trax, etc) and/or wear a full-support leather shoe with a rugged non-slip sole
• SLOW DOWN!
• Watch your steps and where you walk. Ice can be hidden under snow.
• Check your footing and take small steps
• Look for ice on handrails and/or hand grabs
• ALWAYS use gloves for better grip
• ALWAYS use 3 points of contact when exiting or entering your tractor or trailer
• Use your seat belt! 

WHAT IF I NEED TO RENT A TRUCK FOR A DRIVER THAT IS SUBJECT TO THE ELD REGULATIONS?

If the rental period is less than 8 days, they can use the 8-day rental exemption that was granted by the FMCSA as follows:

• They can paper log for up to 8 days and must carry a copy of the letter of exemption with them during that 8 or less day period to present to an officer if stopped
• Click to download the EXEMPTION LETTER
• Idealease locations will allow customers to bring their own portable ELD kits to install on our rental units
• If the rental period exceeds 8 days, customers can rent an ELD from our location

REGISTRATION IS STILL OPEN FOR THE IDEALEASE SAFETY WEBINARS

There are 3 of the 6 webinars still open for our prospects and customers to attend in place of in-person safety seminars, at NO cost. Just click the link(s) for the webinar(s) you want to attend and register. All the webinars are less than one hour in length and once registered, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Looking forward to having in-person safety seminars with you all in 2022.